Display device for sportsmen



Oct. 21, 1969 .1. E. LA FAVOR ETAL 3,473,247

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR SPORTSMEN Filed July 10, 196'? JACK E. LA FAVORDONALD B. MGGLENN IM-EM QR.

3,473,247 DISPLAY DEVICE FOR SPORTSMEN .lack E. La Favor, 805 11th St.NW., and Donald B. McGlenn, 208 S. Meridian St., both of Puyallup, Wash.98371 Filed July 10, 1967, Ser. No. 652,258 Int. Cl. G09f 19/00, 1/12;A44c 3/00 lU.S. Cl. 40--126 3 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE SUMMARYThe invention relates generally to the art of display and/or giftarticles for Sportsmen. More particularly does it relate to the type ofdisplay or gift articles for golfers which carries with it an element ofhumor as well as esthetic appeal. The invention is considered to havespecial attraction for golf enthusiasts in that it is an item or articlewhich can be openly displayed about the home or oiiice. The inventionhas, as one of its features, the provision of a display article which isuniquely appealing, inexpensive to manufacture and which is simple inconstruction. It is a further feature of this invention to furnish adisplay and gift article which has space provided thereon for thingssuch as calendars, inscriptive information and the like which areappropriate for reference purposes on tables and desks.

These, together with other features, objects and advantages which willbecome subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction asmore fully hereinafter described and claimed. Reference will be had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, wherein like numeralswill refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a view in perspectiveshowing that the invention has upstanding support means, space forindicia, and a sportsmans display item;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the article of FIG. l furtherillustrating details thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the display article shown in FIGS.l and 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the invention showing a modifiedform of the mounting for the tee and ball;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view showing another embodiment or type ofmounting which may be used for the ball and tee;

FIG. 6 shows the ball and tee in a slightly different configuration ofthe supporting surface and an alternative mounting means for the tee;

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention whereinindicia means are shown to be on each side of the ball and tee with adifferent form of mounting means for the tee; and

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3 to furtherillustrate construction and details of the display ball and tee.

"nited States Patent O DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referringnow to the drawings, it will be seen that the display device includes adat supporting surface 10 which is generally rectangular inconfiguration. Supporting surface 10 may be made of cardboard, plastic,wood or metal with the lower edge thereof resting on the desk or tabletop. It will be seen that surface 10 is supported at an angle byconventional supporting leg or brace 12 attached to the rear side ofsupporting surface 10.

Surface 10 has secured thereto a display golf ball and a golf tee. Thegolf tee, designated by the number 14, can be made of wood or plastic,and may be of regulation size or perhaps slightly smaller. Mounted onthe tee is golf ball 16, preferably made of light plastic material suchas a polyurethane or a polystyrene foam. The outside of the ball wouldbe dimpled as a conventional golf` ball is, and be painted or otherwisecovered on the surface so as to resemble as closely as possible, atleast externally a regulation ball. Alternatively, ball 16 could be madeof a hollow plastic material also formed to resemble as closely aspossible a regulation golf ball. The light plastic foam or hollowplastic material makes the ball extremely light in weight. The ball hason the front thereof facing away from the supporting surface 10 aprominent indicia numeral 18. The ball also has located near the upperend of indicia numeral 18 a hole 20 of sufficient diameter to be readilyvisible when the invention is viewed from the front and to a lesserextent when viewed from an angle to either side. In the case of aplastic foam type ball, the hole 20 need not be of any specified depth.Dimensions of indicia numeral 18 and hole 20 will be such as to makethem clearly visible. Location of hole 20 preferably is in closeproximity to the upper portion of the numeral, though other locationsthereof are not precluded. The ball and tee could be made integrally ifdesired, though it is contemplated that a conventional plastic or woodtee will be used to which the ball, being made separately, will beadhered by glue or other adhesive. Surface 10 will have space located toone or both sides, above or below the tee and ball for inscriptivematerial and/or a calendar if desired. The inscriptive space 22 is of nospecied dimension or configuration. Shape of surface 10 and the size,location and outline shape of inscription space will be governed more byesthetic considerations than the specic physical limitations.

The tee and ball will be attached to supporting surface 10 by mounting24. It will be appreciated that mountings such as 24 may take aninfinite variety of forms and shapes and that numerous kinds ofmaterials may be used therefor. It is contemplated that a foam plasticwould be most useful because of its minute cost and because the weightwhich it must support is extremely light. It will be appreciated,however, that other materials, such as wood, solid plastic, or evenmetal, could be employed. Limitations on the configuration of mounting24 are again determined mostly by esthetic considerations. Mounting 24in FIGS. l to 3 is small and inconspicuous. However, it may also be moreprominent if desired. Other general types of mounting for the tee andball are discussed below with respect to alternative embodiments ofvarious features set forth in FIGS. 4 through 7.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative mounting means for the tee and ball whichcould be used in those instances where the supporting surface 30 is madeof cardboard or the like. In such a form of the invention a fold-outsupporting leg or brace 32 is located in the rear for supporting surface30 at the desired angle. On the front of supporting surface 30 may belocated fold-out tabs 34 and 36 which may be pre-formed or pre-cutduring manufacture. At the time the article is assembled, tabs 34 and 36can be folded out and the tee inserted through appropriate holes thereinand glued in position if necessary or desired. In like manner, in FIG.5, supporting surface 38 having supporting rear leg 40 may have attachedto the front thereof a glue-on type mounting means 42 having end ormargin portions 44 and 46 joined by angularly disposed mounting arms 48and 50 with appropriate holes therein for receiving tee 14.

FIG. 6 shows not only a diierent shape or configuration for thesupporting surface, but also illustrates another type of mounting forthe tee and ball. Surface 52 is in the shape of a shield or plaque.Mounting S4 illustrates that tee 14 may be embedded in mounting 54 andyet be visible to a person observing the display. It will be seen thatnscriptive space 56 is located above the tee and ball. It will beappreciated that the supporting surfaces of the various embodiments maynot only be used on desks and tables, but may also be hung on walls. Asupporting surface form such as that shown in FIG. 6 would beparticularly appropriate for hanging on walls.

FIG. 7 illustrates a backing or supporting surface 60 having calendarspace 62 on one side of the tee and ball and other inscriptive. space 64on the opposite side of the tee and ball. Another modification of themounting of the ball and tee on the supporting surface is also shown inmounting 66. Regardless of the general form of mounting 66, the point orlower end section of the tee is actually embedded therein.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that numerous modificationsand changes will occur to those skilled in the art. Hence, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown anddescribed. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and improvements maybe resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A sportsmans display and gift article comprising:

(a) a golf tee;

(b) generally spherical imitation golf ball of light weight materialsuch as hollow or foam plastic 5ecured to said tee, said tee with saidball thereon being adapted to be mounted on a display holding means sothat said ball substantially does not touch said holding means;

(c) indicia marked on said ball; and

(d) hole means in said ball in proximity to said indicia so that bothsaid hold and said indicia are generally visible together.

2. The sportsmans article according to claim 1 and in which said ball ismade integrally with said golf tee.

3. A sportsmans display and gift article comprising:

(a) a golf tee;

(b) a generally spherical imitation golf ball of light weight materialsuch as hollow or foam plastic :secured to said tee;

ic) indicia marked on said ball;

(d) hole means in said ball in proximity to said indicia so that bothsaid hole and said indicia are generally in front; and

(e) a supporting surface including a mounting means to which said tee isattached for supporting said tee and ball so that said tee and ballthereon substantially do not touch said supporting surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,541,504 6/1925 Hunter 40-l26EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner WENCESLAO I. CONTRERAS, AssistantExaminer U.S. Cl. X.R. --l.5, 160

